Best Lawnmower Under $400 [2021]

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Best Lawnmower Under $400 – Greenworks MO40L4413

Top Pick

Greenworks 40V 21' Brushless Cordless (Smart Pace / Self-Propelled) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), (2) 4.0Ah Batteries and Charger Included

After researching and testing more than two dozen models, the item that ranks first on our list is the Greenworks MO40L4413 for its super-efficient 40V brushless motor and amazing Smart Pace self-propelled system.

Here’s a quick look at the MO40L4413’s key specs –

  • 21-Inch Deck
  • 40V Brushless Motor
  • Two 4-Ah Batteries
  • Smart Pace System

The MO40L4413’s brushless motor produces less friction and heat, thereby consuming less battery power per second.

In the end, you have a powerful, fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly lawnmower that mows several thousand square feet of grass per charge.

The MO40L4413 has two battery ports. When one battery runs out of power, the motor seamlessly switches to the second pack to keep the mowing blade moving. Together, the batteries offer 70 minutes of nonstop mowing.

Moreover, the Smart Pace self-propelled system automatically matches the wheels’ rotation to the operator’s walking speed. Without preset settings, the MO40L4413 follows your natural rhythm for maximum convenience.

This video should give you a good idea of what the MO40L4413 is all about.

Pros

  • Highly efficient motor with long-lasting batteries
  • Follows user’s walking pace
  • Durable steel deck
  • Triple action—suctioning, mulching, and discharging

Cons

  • Suction could be stronger

The Greenworks MO40L4413 has it all, from mowing performance and versatility to long-lasting battery life. This 40V cordless lawnmower is the best all-around model for those on a budget.

Keeping a well-maintained yard isn’t the most enjoyable thing in the world, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

Thankfully, lawnmower manufacturers are producing wallet-friendly options to help keep yards trimmed mowing over your finances.

We’ve tested over 20 models by trimming more than three acres of grassy fields to find the best lawnmower under $400.

Top Lawnmower Under $400 Compared

Product ImageProduct NameFeaturesPrice
Greenworks 40V 21' Brushless Cordless (Smart Pace / Self-Propelled) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), (2) 4.0Ah Batteries and Charger IncludedGreenworks MO40L4413
  • Deck Size: 21 in.
  • Fuel Source: Battery
  • Self-propelled: Yes
  • Smart pace self-propelled system
Greenworks 80V 21' Brushless Cordless (Push) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), (2) 2.0Ah Batteries and 30 Minute Rapid Charger IncludedGreenworks GLM801601
  • Deck Size: 21 in.
  • Fuel Source: Battery
  • Self-propelled: No
  • Pro 80V brushless motor
WORX WG959 17-inch 40V (4.0Ah) WG744 Cordless Lawn Mower and WG547.9 Power Share Cordless Turbine BlowerWORX WG959
  • Deck Size: 17 in.
  • Fuel Source: Battery
  • Self-propelled: No
  • Comes with cordless turbine blower
Greenworks 40V 19-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower, 4.0 AH & 2.0 AH Batteries Included 25223Greenworks 25223
  • Deck Size: 19 in.
  • Fuel Source: Battery
  • Self-propelled: No
  • Dual batteries - 4 and 2 ah
Earthquake 28463 M205 Trimmer with 150cc 4-Cycle Viper Engine Walk Behind String Mower, Red/BlackEARTHQUAKE 28463
  • Deck Size: 22 in.
  • Fuel Source: Gas
  • Self-propelled: No
  • 14-inch wheels for improved mobility
Snapper HD 48V MAX Cordless Electric Self-Propelled 20-Inch Lawn Mower, Battery and Charger Not IncludedSnapper HD
  • Deck Size: 20 in.
  • Fuel Source: Gas
  • Self-propelled: Yes
  • Overload sensors

Reviews of Top Lawnmower Under $400

Below, we’ll leave our reviews of some of the top lawnmowers under $400 for you to find which will work best for your landscaping needs.

Best Premium - Greenworks GLM801601

best overall rating Greenworks 80V 21' Brushless Cordless (Push) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), (2) 2.0Ah Batteries and 30 Minute Rapid Charger Included

Key Specifications

  • 21-Inch Deck
  • 80V Brushless Motor
  • Dual 2-Ah Batteries
  • SMARTCUT Technology

The GLM801601 ranked first on our list of best commercial walk-behind lawnmowers, and this time around, it gets the spot as the best premium lawnmower under $400.

The GLM801601 comes with a hefty 80V brushless motor that reduces friction for improved durability and mowing efficiency.

This Greenworks lawnmower comes with a pair of 2-Ah Li-Ion battery packs that. At most, a single battery powers the GLM801601 for 45 minutes while taking just 30 minutes to recharge.

If you time things correctly, you can eliminate downtime altogether.

If you want to see what the GLM801601 looks like, check out this video.

 

Pros

  • Perfect mowing with every pass
  • Durable, environmentally friendly brushless motor
  • Easy to maneuverer
  • Triple action

Cons

  • Side-discharge could be stronger

The GLM801601 is one of the best lawnmowers in its price category. It costs a bit more, but you get a wide range of performance-enhancing features that make mowing a breeze.

Best Budget - WORX WG959

best overall rating WORX WG959 17-inch 40V (4.0Ah) WG744 Cordless Lawn Mower and WG547.9 Power Share Cordless Turbine Blower

Key Specifications

  • 17-Inch Deck
  • Dual 4-Ah Batteries
  • Intellicut Technology
  • Turbine Blower Tool

If you’re looking to get the most value out of your dime, then this WORX 2-in-1 tool kit is for you. The main tool is the WG959, a cordless lawnmower powered by two 4-Ah batteries to offer twice as much working time and power.

The WG959 eliminates the need to guesstimate how filled the collection bag is. A full-bag indicator will keep you in the loop on when to empty it out.

One unexpected feature are the overload sensors. Intellicut Technology measures how much resistance the mower blades are up against and exerts the right amount of power.

This video will show you what the WG959 offers.

Pros

  • 40V battery power
  • Helpful full bag indicator
  • Overload sensors preserve battery life
  • 2-in-1 WORX tool kit

Cons

  • Charging times could be shorter

Nothing spells out value more than getting two excellent tools in a single low-cost package. The WG959 isn’t just a wallet-friendly lawnmower, but it also works just as well as many others on our list.

Greenworks 25223

best overall rating Greenworks 19-Inch 40V Cordless Lawn Mower + Extra Blade, (1) 4Ah (1) 2Ah Batteries and Charger Included 2519202AZ

Key Specifications

  • 19-Inch Deck
  • 40V Motor
  • Dual Batteries
  • 3-in-1 Action

The 25223 follows typical Greenworks fashion by cutting through tall grass like it was nothing. This unit comes with 4-Ah and 2-Ah battery packs that, combined, offer up to an hour of continuous mowing.

Due to its narrower deck, users will need to make more passes across large yards. The silver lining is that the 25223’s build makes it easier to mow around tree trunks and up slopes.

The 25223 offers 3-in-1 akin to Greenworks’ mowers, but with the support of a 40V motor, the 25223 does it all effortlessly.

See what the 25223 can do in this video.

 

Pros

  • Single-pass performance
  • 60-minute runtime
  • Folding handle for easy storage
  • Easy maneuverability

Cons

  • Large yards require more passes with 19-inch deck

Overall, the 25223 is a reliable cordless lawnmower that tackles tall grass and weeds like a boss. Definitely consider this model if you don’t want to lug around heavy mowing equipment.

EARTHQUAKE 28463

best overall rating Earthquake 28463 M205 Trimmer with 150cc 4-Cycle Viper Engine Walk Behind String Mower, Red/Black

Key Specifications

  • 22-Inch Deck
  • 150-cc Viper Engine
  • One-Piece Construction
  • Smart Stop Technology

The EARTHQUAKE 28463 is an enormous yet lightweight lawnmower that produces more than enough power to chop 12-inch grass and weeds in a single pass.

Despite its manufacturer’s name, the 28463 does not produce as many vibrations as other gas models. The seamless one-piece, 22-inch deck keeps tremors at a minimum to enhance the user’s experience.

Unlike other gas models, the 28463’s Smart Stop Technology keeps the engine running when releasing the handle. No longer will you need to stop and restart the engine when moving obstacles out of the 28463’s path.

Pros

  • One-pass reliability
  • Seamless construction reduces vibrations
  • Engine turns off only when you want it to
  • Great on uneven surfaces

Cons

  • Maintenance can be tricky

The gas 28463 offers an astounding amount of grass-slicing performance in low-vibration, easy-to-maneuver machine.

Snapper HD 48V Lawnmower

best overall rating Snapper HD 48V MAX Cordless Electric Self-Propelled 20-Inch Lawn Mower Kit with (1) 5.0 Battery and (1) Rapid Charger

Key Specifications

  • 20-Inch Deck
  • 48V Brushless Motor
  • Overload Sensors
  • Self-Propelling System

The Snapper HD 48V mower features a brushless motor for increased durability and max cutting efficiency.
The self-propelling system consists of a speed limiter and start button.

After setting the wheel speed (up to 4 mph), just press the start button and follow behind.

The Snapper has overload sensors to measure the resistance of tall grass and weeds. The motor only uses as much battery power as needed to leave a clean trail in its wake.

This version doesn’t come with the 5-Ah battery or charger, but you can use batteries from other Snapper tools.
Let Snapper show you what their budget-friendly lawnmower is about.

 

Pros

  • Excellent mowing and mulching performance
  • Super-efficient brushless motor
  • Overload sensors reduce power consumption
  • Interchangeable batteries

Cons

  • Battery and charger sold separately

The Snapper offers high-level performance at an affordable price. This unit is ideal for those with spare Snapper battery packs on hand.

FAQs

In this section, we’re address some of the most FAQs regarding lawn mowers under $400.

Is a budget-friendly lawnmower worth it?

It certainly can be. If you have small yards, a riding lawnmower is definite overkill. Even homeowners with large yards can find value in inexpensive lawnmower models, provided they’re willing to spend a bit more time recharging the batteries or more money on filling the gas tank. If you’re a DIY landscaper, then low-cost lawnmowers can offer the best value for your dollar. 

What is the best lawnmower for a large garden?

The ideal lawnmower depends on the exact measurements of your lawn and how much time you can tolerate under the sun. What’s clear is that a self-propelled lawn mower eases the task of maintaining large gardens by doing most of the heavy lifting. With one of these bad boys, all the user has to do is follow along and turn the lawnmower from time to time. 

How many hours will a lawnmower motor last?

The lifespan of a lawnmower’s motor depends on the make and model. On average, residential-grade, budget-friendly models have a lifespan of between 400 and 500 hours. However, a brushless motor can last for upwards for 1,000 hours with regular upkeep. 

How much should I spend on a lawnmower?

Just like when purchasing jack stands, you should get the best model that you can afford. Whether you have a set budget of $400 or $4,000, the best lawnmower in any price category is worth the investment. Of course, we’re assuming you do your own landscaping and want the most reliable lawnmower model.

Summary

And that concludes our guide on the best lawn mowers for under $400.

We’ve spent tens of hours researching and trying out different models so you won’t have to.

Hopefully, our assessment of these six inexpensive lawn mowers will help you find the perfect model for your home.

If you’re still unsure of how to choose the best lawnmower, please leave us a message below.

Last update on 2024-11-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Kevin Stewart

Kevin is an expert metal worker with a passion for designing and making. He is passionate about his power tools. He contributes his ideas to various online platforms.

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